As the weather cools, the season heats up. Check out these10 critics’ picks to find a sampling of the Boston-area’s best events in theater, dance, art, music, and more.
Next

ALBUM: MUMFORD & SONS, “BABEL”

Three years since their debut, “Sigh No More,” unexpectedly made these Brits stars of the Americana genre, Mumford & Sons return with great expectations for their follow-up. Their instrumentation is rootsy — led by banjo, acoustic guitar, and upright bass — but they play with the zeal of a rock band. (Out Sept. 25)

Touring in support of the superb 2011 album “Ceremonials,” the flame-tressed singer and her band are famous for their vibrant and theatrical live shows. Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$42.50. Comcast Center, Mansfield. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com

Pictured: Florence Welch of the band Florence and the Machine performed at the Oya music festival in Oslo on Aug. 8.
Next

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

FOLK & COUNTRY:CARRIE UNDERWOOD

She’s got another blockbuster on her hands, “Blown Away,” and that title neatly sums up how Underwood tries to leave her fans after a show. Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $44-$64. DCU Center, Worcester. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

Pictured: Carrie Underwood performed on NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza on Aug. 15 in New York City.
Next

Pictured: Joanne Brackeen at the “Prez Fest” jazz celebration at St. Peter’s Church in New York on March 14, 2010.
Next

Museum of Fine Arts

ART: ORI GERSHT: HISTORY REPEATING

Twenty-five works, both photographs and films, touching on tensions between beauty, violence, and historical memory by the contemporary Israeli artist. Through Jan. 6. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 617-267-9300, www.mfa.org

Pictured: Pomegranate Ori Gersht (Israeli, born in 1967) 2006 HD film at the Jewish Museum in New York.
Next

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

DANCE: BOSTON BALLET’S FALL PROGRAM

The company opens its 49th season with two encores from the 2011-12 season and a world premiere (title TBA) from the company’s resident choreographer, Jorma Elo. Christopher Bruce’s “Rooster” has dancers strutting to Rolling Stones tunes such as “Play With Fire” and “Not Fade Away”; William Forsythe’s “The Second Detail” is a kind of high-school-prom piece with a Carrie-like figure in a white Issey Miyake dress. As for the Elo premiere, the only thing certain is that the choreographer will be working on it till the last minute. Oct. 25-Nov. 4. $29-$132. Boston Opera House, Boston. 617-695-6955, www.bostonballet.org

Pictured: Isaac Akiba and Misa Kuranaga, cq both, of the Boston Ballet, rehearsed William Forsythe's "The Second Detail," which is part of the company's fall program.
Next

Brinkhoff/Mgenburg

THEATER: WAR HORSE

A British youth traverses the battlefields of World War I in search of his beloved horse, Joey, in this Tony Award winner for best play, which features remarkable life-size horse puppets.Oct. 10-21. Presented by Broadway in Boston. At Boston Opera House, Boston. 800-982-2787, www.broadwayinboston.com

Pictured: Catherin Gowl, Nick LaMedica, and Laurabeth Breya performed in “War Horse” as a part of Broadway in Boston.
Next

Pictured: Thomas Adès leads the Boston Symphony Orchestra on March 25, 2011.
Next

Robert E. Klein for the Boston Globe

FAMILY: LIFE IS GOOD FESTIVAL

This music fest organized by the clothing company benefits the Life is good Playmakers charity for kids in need. Dave Matthews headlines, kids’ performers include the Fresh Beat Band and Dan Zanes & Friends, and there are tons of family activities. Sept. 22-23. Tickets are $20 for kids and go to $120 for an adult two-day pass. Prowse Farm, Canton. 877-435-9849, www.lifeisgood.com

Pictured: Guster performs at the Life is Good Festival in Canton on Sept. 12, 2010.
Back to the beginning